Teacher Certification in Speech Communication/Theatre

FOR SPEECH COMMUNICATION MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY SPEECH COMMUNICATION/THEATRE ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Students majoring in Speech Communication who desire Iowa Teacher Certification with a secondary endorsement must complete the major requirements and the Secondary Education Program (with COMM4390 Methods of Teaching Theatre and Speech as the appropriate methods course), and the following courses:

COMM3140 Campaigns and Theories of Persuasion 3 s.h.

THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.

THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills 3 s.h.

FOR THE NON-COMMUNICATION MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY SPEECH COMMUNICATION/THEATRE ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Non-Communication majors desiring a secondary endorsement (5-12) in Iowa must complete the Secondary Education Program (with COMM4390 Methods of Teaching Theatre and Speech as the appropriate methods course), a major in a secondary teaching field, and the following courses:

COMM1250 Introduction to Communication Theory 3 s.h.

COMM/ENGL2500 Introduction to Mass Media 3 s.h.

COMM2600 Interpersonal Communication 3 s.h.

COMM3100 Intercultural Communication 3 s.h.

COMM3140 Campaigns and Theories of Persuasion 3 s.h.

THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.

THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills 3 s.h.

One Communication Elective COMM Prefix 3 s.h.

Two Theatre Electives THTR Prefix 6 s.h.

Courses in Theatre

THTR1200 Introduction to Theatre 3 s.h.
Designed to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of dramatic art and to foster an understanding of some of the basic principles which underlie theatre practice and theatre technique. Students should develop an appreciation for the work of the artists who help to bring the playwright’s pages to life as well as consider their contribution as members of an audience. Goal 2A

THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.
Study and practice of the fundamentals of acting through improvisation and exploratory exercises. Basic principles of stage performance designed to enhance the student’s appreciation of the art form are emphasized. Goal 2A

THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
Introduction to the contemporary concept of “performance”, a key way of thinking about theatre in contemporary scholarship. It will provide an overview of organized human behavior as performance—from ritual to play to theatre to live art. Goal 2A

THTR2120 Theatre, Performance, and Society 3 s.h.
Examines the social and cultural functions of theatre and performance and how they serve as tools for cultural learning, social activism, political indoctrination, and education of the people. This separates theatre and performance from its aesthetic qualities and instead focuses on its function. Goal 2A

THTR2260 Acting 2 3 s.h.
Continued study of the basic principles of acting through scene work and monologues. In addition to realism, period styles such as Ibsen, Checkhov and Shaw will be studied. Continued voice and movement work will also be applied. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: THTR1220. Goal 2A.

THTR2350 Theatre Production Studies 0-1 s.h.
Participation in a theatrical production: acting, directing, technical production, design. (Total credits accumulated in this course plus THTR4350 may not exceed eight.) Students approved for credit work in this course by faculty-director must contribute a minimum of 35 clock hours of activity, which shall be exclusive of assignments, and activities pertaining to other courses. Goal 2A

THTR2900 Topics in Theatre 3 s.h.
Study of a selected area in technical theatre. designed to develop an interest in technical theatre, as well as develop skills through the practice of applying very specific techniques in painting, texturing, and glazing. Goal 2A

THTR3000 Individual Study Goal 2A1–3 s.h.

THTR3100 Dramatic Literature 3 s.h.
Exploration and analysis of an individual genre or topic in dramatic literature, with an emphasis on common themes and characteristics of texts that make up the categories. Subjects will vary, but may include the following: feminist theatre, postcolonial drama, multi-cultural theatre, American Realism, global theatre, theatre of the absurd, avant-garde theatre, theatre of the Holocaust, LGBT theatre, and Irish drama. May be repeated for credit when course subject changes. Goal 2A

THTR3140 Playwriting 3 s.h.
Study and application of playwriting techniques and theory. In addition to a number of creative writing exercises, students will write a one-act by the conclusion of the course. Additional fee required. Goal 2A.

THTR3260 Acting 3 3 s.h.
Continued study of the basic principles of acting through scene work and monologues. In addition to realism period styles such as Greek and Shakespeare will be studied. Continued voice and movement work will also be applied. The student will also have the opportunity to produce an audition package. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: THTR2260. Goal 2A.

+ THTR3350 Shakespeare (Also ENGL3350) 3 s.h.
Study of a representative group of Shakespearean plays and sonnets. Primary emphasis is placed on the dramatic and poetic elements in the plays with some study of various aspects of the Renaissance. Goal 2B

+ THTR3370 Theatre History I 3 s.h.
Study of the development of theatre, drama, and stagecraft from their beginnings through the 17th century, with reading of representative plays. Prerequisite: ENGL1410 Modern Rhetoric. Goal 2A

+ THTR3380 Theatre History II 3 s.h.
Study of the development of theatre, drama, and stagecraft from the 18th century to the present, with readings of representative plays. Prerequisite: THTR3370 Theatre History I, or ENGL1410 Modern Rhetoric and consent of instructor. Goal 2A

THTR3700 Theatre Internship 1-3 s.h.
An opportunity for advanced students to link theatrical theory and practice by working with established theatre organizations. Students will consult with the instructor in researching and obtaining appropriate internships. May be repeated for credit up to 6 s.h. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisite: Theatre major/minor. Goal 2A

THTR4350 Advanced Theatre Production Studies 0-1 s.h.
Participation in a theatrical production: acting, directing, technical production, design. Students approved for credit work in this course by faculty-director must complete a minimum of 35 clock hours of activity which shall be exclusive of assignments and activities pertaining to other courses. Prerequisite: THTR2350 and junior or senior standing. (Total credits accumulated in this course plus THTR2350 may not exceed 8.) Goal 2A

Braden shares, “I never really liked school until I started attending Graceland. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking Macro and Micro Economics, even though my major is theatre and I am going to see if I can minor in business or economics before I graduate. I couldn't be happier. I love it here … Graceland saved my life.”